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step down

B1 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words

Leave your important job or position, or walk down from a higher place.

Literal meaning: To physically step from a higher position to a lower one.

Meanings

1 B1 idiomatic neutral

To voluntarily leave an important job or official position.

"The prime minister announced she would step down at the end of the month."

"I have decided to step down as First Minister of Scotland."

— Nicola Sturgeon, resignation announcement, February 2023
Grammar: inseparable
2 A2 neutral

To move physically downward, as from a stage, platform, or vehicle.

"He carefully stepped down from the podium after his speech."

Grammar: inseparable
3 C1 neutral

To reduce an electrical voltage to a lower level (technical/engineering sense).

"A transformer is used to step down the voltage before it enters the building."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Extremely common in journalism and politics. 'Step down from' is the usual prepositional pattern when specifying the role. The physical sense is straightforward but less frequently noted.

Commonly used with

position role chairman CEO leadership office

Forms

Base
step down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
steps down
he/she/it
Past simple
steped down
yesterday
Past participle
steped down
have + pp
-ing form
steping down
continuous

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Synonyms

resign step aside stand down quit retire relinquish

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